Jainism in India

Author(s): Ganesh Lalwani
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy

Page 58

JAINISM IN THE UTTARA PRADESHA
History of Jainism in the Uttara Pradesha is much more ancient than in any other parts of the country. Not only the first Jaina Tirthankara Rsabhadeva was born in Ayodhya but a succession of Tirthankaras were born in different parts of the sacred land of the Uttara Pradesha in pre-historic times. Coming to historic times we find that Lord Parsvanatha was born at Varanasi also in the Uttara Pradesha. He was the son of king Asvasena of Kasi. In his marital relations he was connected with the royal family of king Prasenajita of Pancala. With this royal backing behind him it is natural that he must have had great influence on the contemporary royalties of North India as well as on his own subjects. This is supported from the Sūtra-Kņtārga and other Jaina canonical books. The very family of Mahavira was attached to the religion of Parsva. Mahavira also enjoyed the same royal backing as Parsva, as he was well-connected with the royal families of Northern India of his time through his mother. It is no wonder therefore that Jainism was in a most flourishing condition from the 8th century B.C. to the 10 or 12th centuries A.D. in the Uttara Pradesha. This is also testified by the archaeological finds. But a good part of the archaeological remains of prehistoric period in the Uttara Pradesha must have been destroyed during the muslim rule since the Uttara Pradesha must have been the nerve centre of their activity, so that at the moment not much material is available. May be a more intensive search is needed before much of it, if still buried, can see the light of day.
Ayodhya-As already stated Ayodhya was the birth-place of the first Tirthankara Rsabhadeva. It was also the birth-place of the 2nd, 4th, 5th, and 14th Tirthankaras Ajitanatha, Abhinandana, Sumatinatha and Anantanatha. There are some beautiful Jaina temples on the bank of the Sarayu. These are of later construction.
Sravasti-Sahet Mahet of Gonda district of the Uttara Pradesha has been identified as ancient Sravasti. Being situated on the south bank of the river Rapti, it was the flourishing capital of the kingdom of Kosala in Mahavira's time. It was also the birth-place of 3rd Tirthankara Sambhavanatha.